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Barriers to effective integration of computer technology into classroom instruction in the Keta Municipality
(University of Cape Coast, 2016-07) Besah, David Kwaku
It is an undeniable fact that the world is now being ruled by technology. Without IT, our lives in this modern world will be miserable. The purpose of the study was to find out the state of ICT infrastructure in our schools, what teachers believe are the barriers to computer technology use in their classroom instruction and what suggestions they had to offer in order to bridge the barriers. Descriptive survey design was used. Teachers in public JHS in the Keta municipality were used. The sample comprised 270 participants of whom 67 were heads of schools and the rest of them, 203, were classroom teachers. The simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection for the study. Data collected were analysed using IBM SPSS version 21. Frequencies and percentages were used. The study revealed that infrastructure for ICT was inadequate. Even though a lot of schools sampled had electricity, the number of computers and other ICT tools were insufficient in most schools. Respondents suggested that ICT infrastructure should be supplied to schools and teachers trained to use ICT in their classroom instruction. Parents should provide computers for their wards at home so pupils can use them to do projects and assignments. Provision of ICT infrastructure, training of teachers and provision of home computers for pupils were recommended.
HIV diagnosis disclosure to infected children and adolescents; challenges of family caregivers in the Central Region of Ghana
(University of Cape Coast, 2018-08-18) Anna Hayfron-Benjamin1; Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah2; Stephen Ayisi-Addo3; Peter Mate Siakwa4; Sylvia Mupepi5
Abstract Background: Disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to infected older children and adolescents is essential for both personal health maintenance and HIV prevention within the larger population. Non-disclosure of HIV status has been identified as one of the potential barriers to optimum adherence especially in children and adolescents. Like many other countries in the SSA region, Ghana has significant number of children and adolescents infected by HIV, who have increased survival times, due to increased access to ART. However, both family caregivers and healthcare workers face an array of challenges with the disclosure process, including the timing, what information about the child’s HIV status should be shared with him/her and how to go about it. The aim of the study was to identify family caregiver factors associated with non-disclosure of HIV status to infected children and adolescents accessing Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) at the three main ART sites within the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: A quantitative analytical survey was conducted among 103 family caregivers of HIV infected children (aged 6–17 years) assessing ART services in the Central Region of Ghana. Data were analyzed using SSPS version 21. Results: The age range of caregivers was 20–69 years. The study found a low disclosure rate (23.3%) among caregivers. Majority of the caregivers (80.6%) lacked knowledge on the process of disclosure (how and what to tell child), and majority (64%) also had never received guidance about the disclosure process from their healthcare providers. The main barriers to disclosure were caregiver lack of knowledge regarding the disclosure process and when to disclose, the fear of child’s reaction, and fear of stigmatization and associated negative social consequences. Conclusion: These findings suggest a lesser involvement of health care providers in preparing caregivers for the disclosure process. This therefore highlight the need for the National HIV/AIDS/STI Control Program to strengthen the involvement and training of healthcare providers in HIV diagnosis disclosure to infected children, based on context-specific policy guidelines informed by the WHO recommendations
Cost implications of computer networking in senior high schools in Kumasi Metropolis
(University of Cape Coast, 2013-03) Cudjoe, Francis
The study sought to investigate which Local Area Network (LAN) equipment were affordable to Senior High Schools in Ghana and if some of these equipment were already available for LAN formation. The study also attempted to establish how knowledgeable were users of the LAN with respect to the cost of setting up, the annual cost of operation, and amount of money provided by stakeholders and donor agencies for funding the local area network. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. Thirty-eight Senior High Schools and 228 research participants were purposively selected from the Kumasi metropolis. The questionnaire was the main instrument and was composed of 36 items. Other sources of data were through the internet, daily news print and journals at libraries. The return rate of questionnaires was 88% or 201 of the 228. The findings revealed that most hardware equipment and internet connectivity devices were affordable to the schools. This ranged from server computers to LCD projectors and wireless routers. Vacuum cleaner as an optional equipment was the least affordable. Also, most schools were not aware of Ghana Education Service (GES) procurement rules on ICT equipment and services. The study noted that ICT equipment, also known as hardware and software infrastructure and services required for Local Area Network set up and operation were affordable, and most of these equipment were available to the Senior High Schools in Kumasi. The recommendations made include the adoption of policy guidelines that empower Senior High Schools in Kumasi to generate more funds. These funds should be meant for the establishments of well equipped Local Area Networks.
Assessing the level of internet use among senior high school students in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region
(University of Cape Coast, 2013-06) Bruce-Ennin, Michael
The study sought to find out three main things. First, the general knowledge level of the students and whether or not there is any significant relationship between one’s gender and the knowledge of the internet. Second, the level of internet use among the students and finally, to find out whether students use the internet in a manner that will enhance their studies. Data were gathered from 370 students from four (4) senior high schools in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region out of a total accessible population of 11,729 students. These students were selected through stratified and random sampling. The sample composed male and female students, day and boarding students from all the levels (forms 1, 2, 3 and 4). Questionnaire was the only instrument used for gathering the data. The study found out that students have very high general knowledge of the Internet. It was also found that there is a significant relationship between the students’ gender and their knowledge of the Internet with male students demonstrating higher knowledge of the Internet than their female students. The level of internet use among the students in the district was equally very high. At least 80% of the students use the internet. But what engages the attention of students was more of things that had little or no direct positive impact on their academic work. Majority of the students indicated that they spend more time on watching movies, chatting, surfing, playing games, among others, rather than on academic related issues.
Sickle cell disease: Reappraisal of the role of foetal haemoglobin levels in the frequency of Vaso-Occlusive crisis
(University of Cape Coast, 2015-06-02) C. ANTWI-BOASIAKO; E. FRIMPONG; G. K. ABABIO; B. DZUDZOR; I. EKEM; B. GYAN; N.A SODZI-TETTEY; D. A. ANTWI
Background: Foetal haemoglobin has been implicated in the modulation of sickle cell crisis. Its level is generally inversely proportional to the severity of sickle cell disease (SCD) for a given sickle cell phenotypes. The main aim of therapy for vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), which is the hallmark of SCD, is to reduce the chances of sickling through the prevention of polymerization of HbS. One way of preventing this polymerization is by increasing foetal haemoglobin levels. Objectives: To determine the relationship between HbF levels and the frequency of crisis in SCD patients in Ghana. Method: A longitudinal retrospective survey covering a period of 30 months was carried out on adult SCD patients at the Sickle Cell Clinic of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Results: Eighty-three adults aged 15 to 65 years made up of 40 males and 43 femalea were studied. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) gave significant results in Hb and HbF levels. Higher HbF levels were positively related to less frequent crisis and were significantly high in SCD patients than in controls. HbF effects on the clinical manifestations on SCD were variable. Conclusion: Threshold values of HbF play a role in reducing the frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis in SCD patients and this finding contributes to the body of available literature on SCD severity. However our work does not give the apparent threshold level of helpful HBF Level in SCD.